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Labor Movement Urges, "Vote No in November!"

Joy Portugal

A grab-bag of proposals to amend the New York City charter will appear on the November ballot – and labor and civic organizations are mounting an energetic “vote no” campaign. They charge that the ballot measure is a massive attack

The AFM's 93rd Convention

The 93rd Convention of the American Federation of Musicians was held July 19-21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 338 delegates in attendance, representing 227 AFM locals in the United States and Canada, re-elected the current AFM leadership and acted favorably

"The Music Deserves Better"

Bill Dennison

Broadway musicians kicked off a leafleting campaign at the Minskoff Theatre on Nov. 10. The target is the producer of Saturday Night Fever, who is presenting this Broadway production with a smaller than minimum sized orchestra, in direct violation of

It Pays to Belong!

Local 802’s intervention produced more than $890,000 in wages and benefits that musicians would not otherwise have received, during the first six months of 1999. The largest portion went to recording musicians, who work under union contracts in the segment

Local 802 Shifts Focus to Other Club Date Employers

Joe Eisman

Sept. 17 marked a significant step forward for the club date field, as Starlight Orchestras signed the Single Engagement Club Date Employers collective bargaining agreement with Local 802. This ended a four-month campaign to convince Starlight to live up to

The Radio City Music Hall Orchestra voted unanimously on Nov. 12 to authorize Local 802 to call a strike if an agreement is not reached soon with Radio City Productions. The union and management were far apart on wage issues.

Local 802’s New Organizing, Contract Enforcement and Computer departments all worked on the Starlight campaign, with help from many other union staff members and attorney Bob Archer. Local 802 would like to thank the following people and organizations for their

Members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, on strike since Sept. 25, have been working nonstop to raise public awareness about the issues involved and to rally support. The orchestra has been playing benefit concerts several times every week. To press

The Independent Contractor Issue

A task force appointed by Gov. George Pataki to study the independent contractor issue has concluded that workers “need certainty and clarity in their status” and that consistency “protects workers from abuse.” On July 6 the task force presented a

The Local 802 Executive Board voted unanimously on Aug. 24 to appoint Richard Simon to fill the vacancy on the Executive Board created by the death last April of Andrew Lolya. Simon, 63, was a member of the New York

In the Key of Solidarity

Three Local 802 bands and a speech by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney will highlight this year’s Labor Day festivities. A march and rally on Wednesday, Sept. 1 will replace the traditional Labor Day parade this year. But one Labor Day

Local 802’s new web site made its debut on Sept. 20 – and was an instant hit with members. In the next 10 days, 130 musicians logged on and filled out personal “profiles,” entitling them to use the members-only section

Local 802’s campaign to convince Starlight Orchestras to uphold area standards and begin providing its musicians with benefits has kicked into high gear. The union has begun informational leafleting at selected Starlight affairs, is holding conversations with potential clients to

In recent months, Local 802 has negotiated Broadway workshop agreements for Swing (with Richard Frankel Productions) and Wise Guys (with 101 Productions, Ltd.). The union is attempting to standardize the workshop agreement, and is hopeful that recent negotiations are steps

Perhaps the largest sum ever collected by the Recording Department in a six-month period was distributed to 802 recording musicians earlier this year. Some of the grievances went back a year or more. Some of the recording sessions took place

“Be it resolved that the council of the city of New York mourns the death and celebrates the life of jazz legend Milt Jackson, who passed away on October 9, 1999.” This resolution, introduced by Councilmember Stanley Michels, was adopted

NYS AFL-CIO Urges Public Pressure

When the Unemployment Insurance Division implemented a new wage reporting system last year, a major loophole was created that could adversely affect workers (including musicians and other entertainment industry workers) whose employment pattern does not conform to the new system,

Some 200 health care advocates from 23 states launched U2K – a national campaign to make universal health care a priority in the 2000 election season, and build a broad movement for its passage in 2001 and beyond – at

Convention Delegates Updated on Pamphlet B Talks

Maura Giannini

The Theatre Musicians of America (TMA) held their third annual conference in Chicago on Aug. 23 and 24. The conference was attended by many of the regional directors and some officers and members of the organization. Federation representatives included President

On Nov. 11 at 1:30 a.m. a tentative agreement was reached between the AFM and the League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., and Buena Vista Theatrical Ventures, Inc. (Disney) on terms and conditions of a successor Pamphlet B Touring

Members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra had been on strike for seven weeks, as this issue went to press. Allegro asked Local 802 Counsel Leonard Leibowitz, who is representing the players, to explain the issues fueling the strike. As it

www.local802afm.org

Jennifer Cronin

With the launching of a new web site this month, Local 802 took another step toward bringing the power of computers and the internet to our members. Musicians had already begun dropping in to use the local’s computer for such

Guest Commentary

Nick Unger

What will it take for the United States to establish a health care system that provides comprehensive, quality and affordable health care to all? This sounds like a very complex question, since health care accounts for one-seventh of the U.S.

The following resolution has been submitted for consideration at the membership meeting to be held Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. in the Local 802 Club Room. Please note that proposed new language is in italics. Language to be deleted

The office of the Recording Vice-President that administers the death benefit/life insurance very strongly recommends that you update your beneficiary information to make it current and in line with your wishes. Be advised that whoever is listed on the beneficiary

Members of the New York City Ballet Orchestra recently added their voices to the chorus demanding that Restaurant Associates respect the right of its employees – who work as bartenders, buspersons, cashiers, cooks, dishwashers and waiters at the Metropolitan Opera,

Free internet access for 802 members became available at Local 802 in July, when a computer on the third floor was dedicated to the use of members in good standing. And as the word got out over the summer, several

PATIENT PROTECTION ADVANCES IN CONGRESS The week of Oct. 7 demonstrated what a “hot button” issue health care has become for the American people. The House of Representatives passed the Norwood-Dingell managed care patient protection bill by a huge margin

The sounds of hammering have ended, and plaster dust is no longer drifting through the fourth floor of the 802 building. The first phase of a reorganization of the union’s offices was completed shortly before this issue went to press.

President's Report

Bill Moriarity

Elsewhere in this issue you will find the text of the agreement between Local 802 and B.V. Theatrical Ventures, Inc. (Disney) settling disputes over the move of Beauty and the Beast from the Palace Theatre to the Lunt-Fontanne. I believe

President's Report

Bill Moriarity

The position of designated – or house – contractor on Broadway is one of divided allegiance and uncertain authority. In most instances the designated contractor was not the hiring agent for the show, yet most of the ongoing, day-to-day problems

President's Report

Bill Moriarity

Well, we finally won one. Local 802’s denial of special situation status for the musical Saturday Night Fever was upheld by the contractually mandated hearing panel’s decision, rendered after arguments were heard on Sept. 16. The panel was unanimous in

President's Report

Bill Moriarity

A little more than three years ago, we at Local 802 began a discussion about the future of the AFM. Our primary concern was to maintain and increase our strength at the bargaining table for the Federation recording contracts, which

SUPPORT WAS DEEPLY APPRECIATED To the Editor This note represents my heartfelt thanks to the members and nonmembers of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 during the most difficult time in my life. Your support and concern regarding the

Recording Vice- President's Report

Erwin L. Price

For the fiscal year which ended April 30, 1999, Local 802 received an allocation of $347,546 from the Recording Industries Music Performance Trust Fund and supplemented this with co-sponsorship funds of $1,020,475. That made more than $1,350,000 available for performances

Agreement made and entered into this 12th day of October 1999 by and between Local 802, Associated Musicians of Greater New York (hereinafter called “union”), located at 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036, and B.V. Theatrical Ventures Inc.

SESAME STREET DEBATE CONTINUES To the Editor: Another letter from a 22-year former member of the Sesame Street band, who was not allowed to attend contract negotiations. I have just picked up the three checks that were paid me by

The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. Please keep all letters to 500 words and send them to Allegro, c/o Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. HONORING JAZZ

At its June 11 meeting, the Trustees of the Local 802 Health Benefits Fund modified the self-pay (COBRA) continuation coverage language in the HBP Summary Plan Description as follows: For Plan A participants, if you lose eligibility due to insufficient

Guest Commentary

Mark Weisbrot

It’s being billed in advance as the “protest of the century.” A thousand non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and tens of thousands of people are expected to demonstrate their opposition to the World Trade Organization in Seattle, beginning on Nov. 29. How

Guest Commentary

Sato Moughalian

Recently, I called Vice-President Mary Landolfi for her advice on an incident that I felt might be of general concern to union members. She responded immediately and subsequently asked me to write about the issue of organizations that are now

Concert Notes

Mary Landolfi

The Viewpoint column in last month’s Allegro contained a well-formulated commentary by Sato Moughalian concerning the loss of a freelance job to a group of student musicians. The editor promised that I would describe Local 802’s plans to deal with

NEW YORK STATE BUDGET On Aug. 5 – more than four months late – the Legislature finally agreed to a $73.3 billion budget for New York State. A special session in September is likely, to deal with the many issues

EXTEND HEALTH CARE REFORM ACT New York State’s Health Care Reform Act (HCRA) – which provides hundreds of millions of dollars in special funding to reimburse hospitals and clinics that provide care to the uninsured, for worker retraining and for

The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. Please keep all letters to 500 words and send them to Allegro, c/o Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. BEREAVEMENT PAY

RMA-NY is now hosting Film Music Network’s monthly meetings. These meetings take place on the second Wednesday of each month in the Local 802 Club Room, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. (The doors open at 6 p.m.) For more information

Local 802 member Al Gallodoro, one of the saxophone greats of all time, began his remarkable career in 1927, at the age of 14, playing in big-time vaudeville in the RKO Orpheum Theatre in New Orleans. One of three saxophone-playing

Guest Commentary

Some of the most eloquent voices raised to challenge the anti-democratic nature of efforts to revise the New York City Charter have been those of the labor movement. Following are excerpts from statements by leaders of two of the city’s

Musicians' Assistance Program

Patch Schwadron, M.S.

At various points in your music life you have undoubtedly questioned how long you can or will tolerate the stresses of working toward artistic success and financial security. Like many musicians, you’ve probably taken “survival” jobs to pay your bills,

With 60 years of professional musicianship behind her, jazz pianist Marian McPartland is still going full steam. This elegant and imaginative modernist’s long career performing with her trio and as a guest soloist with symphony orchestras would provide more than

RENT 2000 CAMPAIGN NEEDS VOLUNTEERS Most tenants in rent-regulated apartments are under the impression that they have nothing to worry about until 2003, when the rent laws come up for renewal in the State Legislature. But in fact both rent

Aurora Is Accepting Musicians' Applications

The Aurora is a supportive, shared housing residence sponsored by the Actors’ Fund of America and managed by Common Ground. It provides affordable housing for senior citizens (50 and older), working professionals and persons with AIDS. The Aurora features 24-hour

“What’s 100 economists at the bottom of the sea? A good start!” Though this twist on the old lawyers’ joke doesn’t appear in economics professor (University of Texas at Austin) James K. Galbraith’s new book, “Created Unequal,” he levels plenty

Classical record labels large and small are reissuing works by conductors of the “Golden Era,” giving us timeless interpretations of such giants as Fritz Reiner, Otto Klemperer, Bruno Walter, Pierre Monteux and many others. One member of that generation who

Music Support Features

Bernard Zeller & Richard Simon

Purchasing a fine stringed instrument has become more and more a major investment – of both time and money. With collectors and amateurs competing with musicians for old instruments, the market prices for fine old instruments have been driven steadily

Music Support Features

Scott Mendoker

When I was in high school, back in the early seventies, my parents decided to purchase a tuba for me. (The daily trek to my high school to pick me up with the school’s instrument finally did the trick!) Back

Praise be, the new encyclopedia is finally here! Feather’s original “Encyclopedia of Jazz” was published in 1955, and an updated version came out in 1960. Companion volumes – “The Encyclopedia Yearbooks of Jazz” and “The Encyclopedia of Jazz in the

The ever-increasing power of modern-day corporations has been the subject of many scholarly papers and full-length books, some of which have been reviewed in these pages. If you don’t have time for such heavy (and depressing) reading, “Corporate Predators” is

Musicians' Assistance Program

Dr. Louise Montello

I recently read a wonderfully provocative essay by San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Jon Carroll entitled “Is Something Missing?” Reacting to pop psychology televangelists who insist that we have to work harder to fill the void in all of our

Musicians' Assistance Program

Jackelyn Frost, CSW

Seasonal “cheer” has become synonymous with overdoing it – too much shopping, too much spending, too much eating and too much alcohol. Celebrations ringing in the new millennium are also expected to greatly increase alcohol consumption. So much so, in

Musicians' Assistance Program

Denise Boudreau-Scott

It’s likely that most Allegro readers have recently read an article or watched a television report on the ever-increasing numbers of Americans over 65. The statistics are dramatic. Thirteen percent of the current population is over 65, and that figure

Seeking New Proposals for Funding

As the summer draws to a close, the Coordinating Advisory Committee is encouraging 802 members to submit proposals that can help to create new work opportunities. Their vehicle is the Special Projects and Services Fund, which is funded by three-quarters

August 24, 1999 -- September 28, 1999

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1999 Meeting called to order at 11:48 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Executive Board members Bruno, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Rosen and Weiss, Controller Bogert. Financial Vice-President Landolfi excused while on vacation. In accordance with Local

Last fall I played a concert at the Center for Mature Living in Allendale, N.J., with the Saddle River Concert Band. When we arrived to set up in the center atrium, I unpacked my tuba near two old ladies who

Frank Dickinson passed along a Country Music Glossary that he found on the internet. Here are a few definitions: 12-Tone Scale: what the police weigh your truck with. A-440: the highway that runs around Nashville. Bach Chorale: place behind the

During his years playing horn with the CBS Symphony on radio, nobody ever suggested to Fred Klein that his baldness wasn’t acceptable. But when he began to do the Ed Sullivan Show, contractor Lou Shoobe called Fred into his office

In 1943 Ray Beckenstein got his first chance to play lead alto in a name band, with Bobby Sherwood. This prompted him to begin studying with Joe Allard, the “maven” among teachers at the time. Ray was one of his

Henry Newberger makes his living as a schoolteacher and also plays trombone in dixieland bands. He told me about a job he was hired for many years ago, playing the tuba in a show at Yankee Stadium. He was given

Dick Meldonian has a tape of a roast that took place at Donte’s jazz club in Los Angeles, at which Shelly Manne told this one: Chet Baker was booked into a club where very few customers showed up. “I thought

Gunnar Jacobsen attended the Flip Phillips 80th Birthday Party that was given by Arbors Records in Florida. Matt Domber, who heads Arbors, asked Gunnar to help Barney Kessel with his wheelchair after the concert. But Barney’s wife said she preferred

Howard Johnson told me a story he heard about a 10 a.m. recording date in Los Angeles many years ago, for which Henry Mancini hired trombonist Frank Rosolino. Frank told Henry, “I have a gig the night before in San

Gene Riordan passed along a story he found on the internet, attributed to record producer Orrin Keepnews: In the mid 1950s, when Red Garland was with the Miles Davis quintet, Miles took a weekend gig at a small club in

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